Friday, December 30, 2016

December, 2016 Update


HINDSIGHT
As this last quarter of 2016 comes to a close, we give thanks to the Lord Almighty for His continued provision and guidance in our lives. Robert continues to teach private English classes and do translations. Roxanne continues to teach first grade at Sojourn Academy and really enjoys it. She has also had great fun making furniture for our home in her spare time. Julianna is doing well in tenth grade and in her classes on Saturdays, where she has been learning about facials, make-up, hair-dos, and hair dying so far. We even had the chance to get away and enjoy the beach for a couple of days.
A N D… we celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary this year!  We thank God for His faithfulness; for 1/4 century together!

 
FORESIGHT
We look ahead to 2017 with expectation, waiting on the Lord to lead us into more ministry. Robert has been working hard preparing to teach a class on Eschatology I at Harvest Bible University, beginning in January. We also hope to begin a home Bible study group through our church in this new year. Finally, we are in anticipation of a possible full-time ministry position for Robert, for which he would have to raise support. Should he get the position, you will be receiving a more detailed explanation at that time. Please be in prayer with us with regards to the Lord’s leading for this job.

NEW SIGHT!

We also look forward with great anticipation to the birth of our third grandchild. David and Ashley are expecting again. The due date is exactly one year to the day after Adryanna! We will know in a couple of weeks time whether the Lord will bless us with our first grandson or another princess to join the ranks with Gabriella and Adryanna. We are thankful for God’s provision for a job for David and for how the Lord is working in his and Ashley's lives to draw them closer to Himself.
 
OUTTA SIGHT!
Please know that we are grateful for your prayers for us. May the amazing Prince of Peace fill you with His peace which surpasses all understanding and contagious joy to overflowing. Glory to God in the Highest and may His peace be upon many on Earth!  May Emmanuel bless you this Christmas season and throughout this new year with a fresh sense of His presence and anointing!

Robert, Roxanne, & our growing family

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

August 2016 Update

A friend recently pointed out to me that she hadn’t seen a post on our blog in months.  Please forgive our oversight.  Due to the fact that we have not been in full time ministry, there isn’t much to tell on a monthly basis other than "we are working”.  Robert was working six days a week plus four evenings at the University and teaching private English classes in between. Roxanne had no need to search for a job upon finishing in December at Costa Rica Christian School; Julianna’s school called her in January to ask her to take the first grade teaching position because one of their American teachers had returned to the States after her Christmas break. Roxanne taught English classes at the University four nights a week as well and private classes on Saturday mornings. All of this to keep us afloat. When Roxanne lost her voice and struggled for three months with throat issues, the University did not take her back on for the following quarter. Being so busy teaching, there was no time for any ministry. How we missed that! Robert was praying for a change that would allow him some time for ministry. A pastor friend told him: “Don’t quit your job; let God take you out of there.” About a month later, over a misunderstanding, Robert was released from the University.

Since then, Robert has had a steady stream of translation work to do. He was sent to Thailand for two weeks as a simultaneous interpreter for a conference for trainers of pastors. He is very thankful for the great experience. He absolutely loved the Thai hospitality and the delicious cuisine. But he also returned with a burden for that country of 70 million, where less than 1% know Jesus. He was able to find some Gospel tracts in Thai that he gave to the grateful hotel staff! Upon his return, besides written translations, he has interpreted for preachers and continues with his private English lessons. Thanks to having a more flexible schedule now, this month he is hosting a short term mission group from Canada, July 30th to August 13th, for whom he will also be interpreting. Please be in prayer for the upcoming workshop for pastoral couples and leaders, as well as ministering alongside four churches in poor communities through dentistry and women’s and children’s ministries. We are so grateful to the Lord for opening the doors for him to be in ministry again!

If you would like to help with our support, you can do so by sending your tax-deductible contributions to the addresses on the right hand margin. We would be truly grateful.

Roxanne enjoys her job as a first grade teacher at Sojourn Academy, which is a school for missionary children. Since she joined the Academy half way through the school year, she only had a right to two weeks holidays, so she is spending the summer tutoring students. But we are thankful that she was able to save enough money from her brief job at the University to pay for two plane tickets to Canada. She and Julianna went for two weeks to visit our son in June.

We are thrilled to announce the birth of Adryanna Roxanne Grego on May 26, 2016. Her older sister, Gabriella, is constantly pausing from her play time to give her kisses. Roxanne and Julianna so enjoyed taking on their roles as Grandma and Auntie during their visit! We also welcome our new daughter-in-law to the family! David and Ashley were wed in a small ceremony this year and hope to have a reception with the Canadian side of the family next summer, finances permitting. David currently works at a call center. The company told him they would help him with his studies, as it pertains to the job. He hopes to study Business Administration.

Julianna is thankful that she passed ninth grade with better grades than the previous year. She is helping out with the little kids during summer camp at Sojourn Academy and will begin tenth grade in September. At that time, she will also be studying hairdressing on Saturdays at an institute here in San José.

We are thankful for your prayers for our family. The Lord is good. All the time. We praise His wonderful name! May He pour out His blessings on your family!


Robert, Roxanne, and family